Moles, often recognized by the tell-tale mounds of soil they leave behind, are subterranean mammals whose diet is frequently misunderstood. Their subterranean lifestyle often leads to speculation about their feeding habits. Despite common assumptions, moles are not primarily plant-eaters; instead, they are highly specialized insectivores. Understanding their true diet clarifies their ecological role and corrects common misconceptions about their garden impact.
Primary Food Sources
Moles are insectivores, with their diet consisting mainly of insects and other soil invertebrates. Earthworms are a staple of a mole’s diet, often making up the majority of their food intake. Moles are exceptionally skilled at locating and capturing these worms as they tunnel through the soil.
Beyond earthworms, moles also consume other subterranean creatures. These include grubs, which are the larvae of beetles, along with other insect larvae, centipedes, millipedes, slugs, and spiders. These protein-rich food sources provide the necessary energy for their active, underground lifestyle. While some evidence suggests moles might occasionally ingest seeds or plant material, this is not a significant part of their diet.
Hunting and Foraging Behavior
Moles are expert diggers, constantly excavating extensive tunnel systems that serve as their hunting grounds and homes. They create both shallow feeding tunnels, visible as raised ridges on the surface, and deeper, more permanent tunnels for resting and raising young. These tunnels are not just pathways but also act as traps, capturing earthworms and other prey that fall into them.
With poor eyesight, moles rely on highly developed senses of touch and smell to find food in their dark, subterranean environment. Moles can even “smell in stereo,” using both nostrils to pinpoint the direction of prey. Once prey is detected, moles use their strong, paddle-shaped forefeet to capture it.
Moles have a remarkably high metabolic rate, necessitating constant feeding to maintain their energy levels. They can consume between 60% to 100% of their body weight in food each day. To ensure a continuous food supply, moles sometimes paralyze earthworms by biting their heads and store them alive in specialized underground “larders” or chambers for later consumption.
Dispelling Common Myths
A widespread misconception is that moles eat plant roots, bulbs, or garden vegetables. Moles do not intentionally consume plants. Plant damage, such as severed roots or withered vegetation, is typically an indirect result of their extensive tunneling activity disturbing the soil around plants.
Often, other animals are mistakenly blamed for mole damage. Voles, which are small rodents, are common culprits for eating plant roots, bulbs, and garden produce, sometimes utilizing mole tunnels to access these food sources. While moles are not responsible for eating plants, their tunneling can still be problematic for gardeners due to the physical disruption it causes to lawns and gardens.